632 



BRAINS IN BOOKS. 



cussion of carbon, on page 20. It is stated as an un- 

 disputed fact that carbon is taken up by the roots, but 

 the later vegetable physiologists dispute it, and the 

 experiments of Moll and others appear to prove that it 

 is taken in only by aerial parts. Asa Gray, it is true, 

 persisted to the last, upon philosophical grounds, that 

 the roots do take in carbonic acid, and some botanists 

 and chemists are of the same mind ; but the question is 

 by no means a settled one, and all reasoning upon it for 

 the benefit of the farmer must be cautiously done. 



We are not censuring the book as a whole, for we 

 like it and recommend it. We know of no little treatise 

 so useful to the novice in matters of crop-feeding. 



The Cauliflower. By A. A. Crazier, Ann Arbor, 

 Mich. Pp. 2J0. Illustrated. This adds another to our 

 very short list of good manuals on special crops. Mr. 

 Crozier has grown cauliflowers for market, and he is a 

 well-known botanist and experimenter. He has, there- 

 fore, brought together in concise and handy form all the 

 most practical information concerning the cauliflower, 

 and it will be strange if the book does not extend the 

 interest in this excellent vegetable. The cauliflower 

 is a crop which is thought to be difficult to grow, bu: 

 Mr. Crozier declares that it is more easily grown than 

 celery. But certain rules must be followed closely, and 

 these are fully explained. " It is a waste of time," for 

 one thing, "to attempt to have cauliflowers head in our 

 hot summer months, and until our markets are better 

 supplied than they now are with vegetables, it will not 

 often pay to do much with the spring crop." While 

 this statement may be rather too strong, it is neverthe- 

 less good advice, and ought to do much to counteract 

 the inconsiderate advice often given by dealers. The 

 limitations of climate are among the most important 

 points in cauliflower culture, and gardeners have not yet 

 learned what they are. Foreign gardeners usually 

 attempt to follow the methods of European countries, 

 and failure results ; and these failures discourage native 

 gardeners. Thus it has happened, as Mr. Crozier 

 thinks, that the cauliflower receives less general atten- 

 tion now than it did forty years ago. 



The book covers the whole subject of cauliflower and 

 broccoli growing, even to cooking, botanical features 

 and history. It considers the whole country, from 

 Alaska and Puget Sound to the south and to New Eng- 

 land. The chapter on seed growing is excellent, and 

 that upon varieties is the best discussion of the subject 

 which we know. We fail to find in the book any refer- 



ence to the club-root of cauliflowers — an omission which 

 detracts much from its value. 



Insects and Insecticides. By Clarence M. Weed. 

 Pp. 2.S1. Illustrated. Everyone who grows a plant or 

 raises stock should own this attractive volume. It is 

 eminently a practical and useful book. It describes and 

 figures all the worst insects met with upon the farm and 

 in the garden, including those which attack domestic 

 animals ; and household pests are also considered. 

 Everywhere the most approved preventives and reme- 

 dies are given. It is concise, clear, well-printed, and 

 ought to find a large sale. The author's experience in 

 the direct study of economic entomology gives weight to 

 all the recommendations. 



Outlines of Entomology. By Miss Mary E. Mitrt- 

 feldt, Kirkwood, Mo . Pp.133. Illustrated. This little 

 manual is "prepared for the use of farmers and horti- 

 culturists" "at the request of the secretary of the state 

 board of agriculture and the state horticultural society 

 of Missiouri." Its aim is to give a pleasant account of 

 insects in general, with illustrations drawn from familiar 

 examples, and to give the farmer sufiicient entomological 

 information to enable him to understand the many writ- 

 ings of the day. We think that the book is needed and 

 that it is well adapted to its purpose. Taken in connec- 

 tion with one or two works on economic entomology, 

 like Weed's, Saunders', or others, it makes an invaluable 

 addition to any farmer's library ; and to the young stu- 

 dent of natural history it will be entertaining. The 

 author is well known as an entomologist. 



A Syllabus of Horticulture for the use of 

 Classes. By E. S. Goff. Pp. no. Professor Goff has 

 put together his lecture notes into a convenient form for 

 use and reference, and the result is a little volume which 

 is adapted to students in some other institutions ; and it 

 will be useful to anyone who desires to acquire the 

 underlying principles of plant nutrition, growth, and 

 behavior. The book is, strictly speaking, not so much 

 horticulture as botany, but it occupies an open field. 



The Chocolate Plant and its products. By Wal- 

 ter Baker &^ Co. Pp. 40. Illustrated. This is a most 

 dainty and attractive brochure. It discusses the early 

 history of chocolate and gives fac similes of several 

 curious old prints. The. manufacture of chocolate and 

 cocoa, their physiological effects, and the latest culinary 

 advice, are considered. The book is printed upon extra 

 heavy paper and is bound in embellished covers. 



L. H. B. 



